City May Get More Entertaining

Under Bill, Restaurants Where Music, Dance Illegal Could Get License

Originally, the bill had drastically different intentions. Until it was modified late last week, the legislation nearly tripled the size of the area where live entertainment was allowed, issued permits to all businesses that wanted to hold live entertainment and formed a five-member Board of Live Entertainment to regulate the industry.

But budget constraints and opposition from neighborhood associations and local club owners made Rawlings-Blake decide to redraft the bill.

Local musicians such as singer/songwriter Kristin Putchinski - who was originally against the bill - are pleased with the new legislation. Putchinski, who performs under the name Ellen Cherry, lives in Hamilton. The new version of the legislation would open up a large portion of the neighborhood along Harford Road for live entertainment.

"This is a great thing for my neighborhood," Putchinski said. "As a musician, having more places to play can only be a positive thing."

Brian Shupe, who owns The 8x10, a live music club in South Baltimore, was one of many venue owners who attended the session and protested the fees and regulations the original bill imposed.

Under the new version of the bill, The 8x10 and any other venues currently offering live entertainment would not have to pay any more licensing fees than they do now.

"This bill is supposed to create more venues, so it's going to be more competition," Shupe said. "But the fact that they are exempting us means a lot."